Being barraged on a daily basis by the constant doom spiral of news and social media, it's easy to give up hope, feel numb towards the direction that society seems to be going in, and stop caring for others and yourself. One day, I came across a flyer for a punk benefit show, which was raising funds for an organization called Mutual Aid Monday. The flyer said that volunteers got free entry -- sign me up.

I ended up working the doors for the second half of the show, and learned about the organization's mission to feed the unhoused in the heart of New Orleans. Everyone there was very down-to-earth, not preachy, and sincerely seemed to care about the mission of the organization. I caved (feeling a bit regretful at trying to scam a free cover for the show from them) and committed to showing up for the next food distribution.

I showed up, and it was a dysfunctional group of misfits -- just what I needed. No polished public affairs posture for the organization; no licensed swag; no nonprofit overhead swallowing up all the operating funds. Just regular people who were cooking meals out of their homes, collecting food donations from local businesses, and throwing it all in rolling carts and dishing out meals to those in need.

I've now been volunteering regularly with the organization (now renamed to New Orleans Community Aid Project, or NOCAP) for nearly a year. When I miss a distribution, the direct action to support some of the most vulnerable in society has given me a purpose beyond just existing, and I realize that if everyone did a little something in their lives to help others in their community, this world might just have a chance.